1 week Ago By JILLIAN CRAIG [email protected]
Two Kenosha Unified teachers have been recognized as 2025 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation fellows. Mitch Thomas, a culture coach at Frank Elementary, and Jennifer Vena, who teaches with the Phoenix Project offered to incarcerated students, will each receive a one-time $6,000 award. Their schools will also receive $6,000.
Thomas, who has been working at Frank since 2018, said it was “very validating” to be recognized with the fellowship. “It means the world that I was recognized for the work that I’m doing,” he said. “It makes me feel really awesome that the things I’m doing are helping the community.
” Vena said she felt grateful to be recognized because “it’s such a unique position where I teach, so we don’t really have these kinds of opportunities.” “I feel that the opportunity I have — to give students dignity or help them find dignity in a time in their lives which is probably going to be the most challenging of their live — is an honor for me,” she said. “We’re kind of in the shadows back here working, and I’m just grateful.
” Once a teacher is nominated, they are asked to answer additional application questions, such as what they like about the job and how they are impacting the community. Thomas answered it “helped me to realize what I’m doing and how I’m helping the Kenosha community at large.” He hasn’t decided what to do with the award yet, but is considering putting it toward Frank’s playground fundraiser or using it to add recess activities to the school.
“I really want to make sure that I’m putting it toward something that’s going to be really impactful for the Frank community,” he said, “something that’s last a long time and impact generations to come at Frank.” Vena is also still considering how to spend the funds, but said she and other staff for the Phoenix Project could use access to more technology. “We are lucky that we have laptops that we’re able to use in the classroom, but we’re also looking to go a step further to be able to have things that students can work on outside of the classroom,” she said.
They are also considering investing in resources that support students transitioning to life after incarceration. “Which could be something as simple as being able to get them a bike helmet because they’re going to be riding bikes, or as complex as being able to have their own technology for that transition,” she said. Thomas said it’s a “group effort” at Frank, and “I couldn’t have done it without my colleagues.
I’m only able to shine because of how awesome everybody else is.” Vena said there are “many different people that I’ve learned from to get me here.” “I’m grateful who I’ve worked with and the staff who I’ve learned from,” she said.
“It’s been great.” Thomas Vena Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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